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Metronomy - The Look

      Since their debut single in 2005, UK based Metronomy has been blending electronic music with more traditional instruments to create their own brand of funky yet vibey synth rock. By incorporating some lo-fi aspects to their music, the band keeps a vintage tone that continues with their most recent single and album, both titled Love Letters. Joseph Mount, Metronomy frontman and founder, has been working under the name since 1999, before bringing on three other members in 2005 including female vocalist Anna Prior. Having toured with Coldplay, the group is known for their exciting live shows, featuring dance routines and light displays. The band has released four studio albums as well as a number of EPs and remixes since their debut, with Love Letters as their most successful, peaking at number seven on the U.K. charts.

Fun Fact : Kevin Pouya samples the intro to Metronomy’s “Love Letters” in his track “Suicidal Thoughts in the Back of a Cadillac”. Pouya’s song “Strange” has previously been featured on 1songaweek.

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Kevin Pouya - Strange

     Though Kevin Pouya, sometimes known as simply Pouya, has been making music for nearly two years, he has furthered his career this year with the release of not one but two full mixtapes, South Side Slugs and Stunna. The Miami, Florida rapper’s music often goes hard and heavy on bass while featuring jazzy instrumentals, and starting mostly with South Side Slugs, Pouya has explored more profound and poetic lyrics as well as catchier hooks (such as in “Suicidal Thoughts in the Back of the Cadillac”). The track “Strange” from the same album, South Side Slugs, features a catchy hook in the first half before a beat change lays the foundation for the final verse and finishes out the song. Pouya remains active this year both in the studio and on the road.

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Brandi Carlile - The Stranger At My Door

     Ever since her childhood, growing up in the small town of Ravensdale, Washington, Brandi Carlile had wanted to write music. Inspired by female country artists like Patsy Cline and the rock and roll sound of Elton John at a young age, Carlile started playing local shows while in her teens, ultimately performing with a band called the Fighting Machinists. In 2005, Carlile released her first album, Brandi Carlile, with two members of the Fighting Machinists who still work with her today. Carlile’s second release, The Story, scored her a hit single of the same name in 2007. The album was specially recorded to capture the raw intensity of her live performances and her unique style. Carlile has released three studio albums since The Story, including her most recent folk-rock leaning album, The Firewatcher’s Daughter, in 2015.

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Genre Spotlight - Vaporwave

After a few weeks’ hiatus brought about from being quite busy, I decided to do something a little different. This week, my first “Genre Spotlight” post.

     Vaporwave is an art style and musical genre stuck halfway between parody and nostalgia, and is unique enough that it can fit in this strange halfway point so naturally. When you first hear a vaporwave track you might think you are listening to elevator or hold music right out of the 1980s or 90s, and combined with the primitive vector graphics and nostalgic references in its art style, it is clear that Vaporwave emulates a particular era in pop culture. Most agree that this nostalgic fascination is a parody of consumerist culture, especially after the emergence of the term “mallsoft”, some going so far as to say the genre exposes the “false promises of capitalism”. Whether seen as a political statement or simply a nostalgic outlet, Vaporwave is a fascinating genre that needs to be heard to be comprehended. 

A Vaporwave Spotify Playlist

[1songaweek]

Neutral Milk Hotel - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

“Can’t believe how strange it is to be anything at all”

     Whether due to the distinct and experimental instrumentation or the impassioned and strangely beautiful songwriting, Neutral Milk Hotel’s 1998 album In the Aeroplane Over the Sea has become an indie favorite in recent years, despite lackluster sales on its initial release. The song that shares its title with the album is a beautiful track, spanning the range of love, life and death. Troubled songwriter and frontman Jeff Mangum unfortunately became uncomfortable with the touring schedule not long after the album’s release, ultimately suffering a nervous breakdown, and the group took a long hiatus. Now, seventeen years later, with the rising popularity of similar “fuzz folk” and folk-punk acts such as Andrew Jackson Jihad, one can't help but look back on In the Aeroplane Over the Sea as not only ahead of its time, but exceptionally unique.

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Josh Ritter - The Curse

      The story of an ancient egyptian mummy who comes to life and the scientist who discovers the tomb in which he was buried would not typically be told as a love story, unless you are listening to the creative work of Josh Ritter. Ritter first picked up a guitar after hearing “The Girl From the North Country” by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, and then went on to be further inspired by songwriters such as Leonard Cohen. After attending college in Ohio and performing music at open mic nights in the area, in 1997 Ritter decided to move to Scotland to continue to study for six months. Surprisingly, his music was much more well received there and despite his later success in his homeland, his success in Scotland is what allowed him to pursue music full time. “The Curse” is from his 2010 album, So The World Runs Away. Ritter continues to write and record music and tour. 

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

First Aid Kit - America

      First Aid Kit’s beautiful harmonies and soothing, folksy instrumentals are worthy of praise in and of themselves, but it's the duo’s clever lyrics that truly set them apart. Comprised of sisters Johanna and Klara Soderberg of Sweden, First Aid Kit first began making music in 2007, while its two members were still teenagers. Eight years and four albums later, the band has gained international acclaim and has performed all over the world, recently having been nominated for a Brit Award. The song “America” (a Simon and Garfunkel cover) from the 2014 EP of the same name is a reflective, reminiscent, dreamy tune presenting various moments in time on a trip throughout the United States. The band’s most recent album, Stay Gold, was released in 2014 and the duo continues to tour the US and internationally. 

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Morrissey - I Have Forgiven Jesus

      Steven Morrissey first gained popularity as the lead singer of The Smiths, probably the most influential british alternative rock band of the 1980s, but he went on to achieve greater success as a solo artist in the following years. His first solo release, 1988′s Viva Hate, cemented his popularity and spawned two successful singles, the first of many to come. Morrissey’s style has changed somewhat over the years, but he never has strayed far from his emotional, dramatic writing style that he is so known and celebrated for. “I Have Forgiven Jesus”, from his 2004 album You Are the Quarry, is a plea to God asking why we have so much love in our hearts when there is “no one I can turn to with this love”. Morrissey continues to make music and tour, and is headlining Los Angeles music festival FYF Fest this year. 

[1songaweek]

The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots Part 1

     Blasting out of their hometown of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma like a spaceship from of their sci-fi themed songs, The Flaming Lips quickly rose to prominence in the alternative rock scene after their 1994 release “She Don’t Use Jelly”. Led by frontman Wayne Coyne, the band crafts a neo-psychedelic sound heavily influenced by themes of science fiction and outer space. With complex instrumentals and long, interesting song titles, the band soon became known not only for their music but for their live shows, often an elaborate display combining costumes, projections, and a human sized plastic bubble.

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks - The Golden Rule

     Thoroughly and reliably spooky in every single song spanning their six albums, Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks always manage to sound like something right out of a haunted house. Wyatt’s passion for old fashioned country music, classic horror films, and the macabre have lead to an extremely unique but consistent sound. Wyatt manages to create something incredibly haunting, a slight departure from the sound of his gothic country duo, These Poor Bastards, a more aggressive sounding and less atmospheric project he shares with a musical partner known as The Minister. Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks released their most recent album in 2013, titled Halloween Is Here.

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Pell - Runaway

      New Orleans rapper/singer Pell had a successful career in music production before he turned to making his own music, a sound that’s been labeled “dream rap” and he has called “futuristic soul”. His 2014 album Floating While Dreaming, while sometimes incorporating trap beats but often leaning towards ambient soundscapes, has an altogether deeply soulful and “dreamy” feel. The album has a sound very new to hip hop of the american south. Pell has toured with multiple artists, more often indie pop than hip hop, and has several UK and US tour dates lined up this year. 

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Harriet - Burbank

     (NSFW video)

     Harriet frontman and singer-songwriter Alex Casnoff comes from a musical background, his father starred in the original Broadway cast of Grease and his parents introduced him to music through piano lessons at an early age. Casnoff has also had experience with other successful music projects, most prominently as a member of Los Angeles folk-rock band Dawes. Indie rock band Harriet, while drawing inspiration from the Americana genre, also incorporates elements of electronica with an emphasis on lyrical songwriting. In 2012, Harriet released their first EP titled Tell the Right Story, followed up by their most recent studio project, Harriet, which came out this year. 

Spotify

[1songaweek]

Viceroy ft K.Flay - Back at the Start

     From complete obscurity to intense popularity seemingly overnight, Nu-disco artist Viceroy first exploded onto the scene with his remix of “Goody Two Shoes” by dance artist Duck Sauce in 2011. Since then, he has gained acclaim and popularity through his many official remixes as well as original compositions. In this particular collaboration, a funky du-disco track released in February 2015, his partner is indie-inspired female hip-hop artist F.Flay. Her unique singing/rapping is forefront in this single, which also features a strong saxophone part, paying tribute to Viceroy’s style and influences. 

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Sea Wolf - Old Friend

     Combining folksy lyrics and acoustic guitars with complex electronic beats, Sea Wolf’s 2012 album Old World Romance was recorded almost entirely by the project’s creator, Alex Church. While other albums Church has released under the name Sea Wolf have a similar sound, Old World Romance seems to combine the electronic and acoustic elements using catchy melodies in a way that brings out the best of both aspects. Based in LA, Alex Church’s songwriting is inspired by authors such as John Steinbeck and Jack London. The first track, “Old Friend”, is a song reminiscing about youth and an old friend in what is presumably the city of San Francisco. Sea Wolf’s latest album, Song Spells, No. 1: Cedarsmoke was released in 2014.

Spotify | Lyrics 

[1songaweek]

Rachel Brooke - Late Night Lover

     Through haunting, bluesy instrumentals and sultry vocals, alt-country artist Rachel Brooke evokes a unique atmosphere clearly inspired by traditional music of the south and southwest. Throwing notions like “polished” and “clean” out the window, Brooke’s songwriting is something very classic, often dark, and very much all her own. Despite her strong inclination for country music of the american south, Brooke grew up in Michigan with the influence of her bluegrass playing parents and spent her teenage years playing in a punk band. She released her first album in 2008, and has followed it up with LPs almost every year since until 2012. Her second album with similar folk artist Lonesome Wyatt will be released later this year.

Spotify | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

Courtney Barnett - Avant Gardener

“The paramedic thinks I’m clever 'cause I play guitar I think she’s clever 'cause she stops people dying”

     Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett’s deadpan, matter-of-fact singing style compliments her clever, witty lyrics. In the case of “Avant Gardener”, the title itself being a reference to the french term “avant garde”, Barnett even includes a reference to Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, all in a song about needing medical attention due to an asthma/allergy attack. Though the topic of the song is a very pertinent medical issue, Barnett manages to describe the experience in such a way that makes it seem so trivial, almost like she is detached from the issue entirely. Her unique songwriting style is apparent on her “double” EP titled “A Sea of Split Peas”, released in 2014. Her upcoming album is scheduled for release this March. 

Spotify | YouTube (Official Video) | Lyrics

[1songaweek]

The White Buffalo - Highwayman

     Jake Smith's large size and long haired "woodsman" look lend themselves well to his deep, full voice and his folky musical style. The White Buffalo is Smith's solo project, which began with the release of The White Buffalo EP in 2005. The song "Highwayman", however, released by Smith as a single in 2013, is a cover of an outlaw country classic by supergroup The Highwaymen. Featuring the talents of country legends Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, "Highwayman" was The Highwaymen's signature song and was released in 1985. The White Buffalo's passionate, acoustic cover puts his own flavor into a refreshed version of the track while paying tribute to the legends that came before.

Spotify | YouTube (Unofficial Audio) | Lyrics